THE POLITICAL PEA.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 9, 1 November 1919, Page 2

THE POLITICAL PEA.

Under Which Thimble?

THE elections which are to take place next month will probably be the most interesting in the history of New Zealand, for since the last elections held in this country the face of the universe has changed, kingdoms have fallen, shibbolets have departed, and humanity has, by the necessity of war, been bound to learn new things. Discoveries of the profoundest importance have been made, and one of the most important discoveries is that the highest type of intelligence ultimately dominates all lands. * *• » The history of any country is not the history of its People, but of its Persons. It is the Persons who teach and lead and the People who follow. Attempts to make the whole mass of people think in one groove are always unsuccessful, and the idea of dominating any particular class, so that it may vote the same way, in order to give specific persons official and political office, is bad and undemocratic in principle. Both Mr. Massey and Sir Joseph Ward have spoken with particular emphasis against the party system, but there is no indication anywhere in New Zealand —or for that matter anywhere else, that this spirit is to be eliminated. • * * Men are "approached" not with the object of selecting tbem to serve the country, but to serve either the party that holds office or the one which hopes to hold office. In many cases groups interested in politics, and knowing how a party Parliament may affect their own business activities' by votes, promise support, the suggestion always being that votes may be suborned, and that the individual may be told before he goes to the ballot box how he is to exercise what is. really, a very sacred function. The decision that

the best young men in ' tla^^pirj :,..; cannot interfere with body haß been come to becatose>rit*. is absolutely impossible to suborn the best men in the country to think in a groove, and go through a gap in- the voting fence like a mob of sheep after a bell wether. It is requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul of the country that every now and then the rulers in the groove may be "shaken up."

Spring cleanings in the household aro excellent, if temporarily uncomfortable, and the destruction of cobwebs, either in the kitchen or on the ceilings of the State, a vital business. Wherever there is a young New Zealander standing for a seat which has been held by the Limpets, it is the business of that electorate to examine his qualifications very carefully.

If it were possible to increase the standard of education in Parliament by sending to it better educated men, this would be all to the good. The profound questions are not the party Questions. They are the question of development, modernisation, the settlement of the land by a very largely increased population, and intense scientific research, to enable us to meet trade rivals who have long discovered that the farmer, the inventor, the chemist, the engineer, are far more important, people than the politicians. The New Parliament, which without any selfish or party ends in view, would cultivate genius wherever it might be found would do incalculable good to New Zealand. The Parliament which made it possible for the bright and outstanding originators in any line of life—science, art, literature, research, to stay in New Zealand or to return to New Zealand after having seen the world, will be a Parliament of educated young men, or old men if you like, ( who have advanced with the times.

Most unfortunately there is every indication that the elections will resolve themselves into a squabble of parties, and it is profoundly unfortunate . that in many places already there is a disposition to regard a candidate only from the point of view of the particular religion he professes. In every-day life a Man admires a decent Man whether he be Protestant or Catholic, Buddhist or Mohammedan, and to impart bitterness into any political contest by setting up one sect against another, is a peculiarly diabolical proceeding. ♦ * * Few men know what scoundrels they are until they hold a public office. Few are really anything worse than decent citizens, and yet it has been seen times out of number that a man has only been chosen for his attitude on the liquor question, in the eyes of political Water Parties an antagonism to Prohibition being enough to damn him even if he were a potential statesmfi - as big a "punch" as Lloyd George. One isn't quite sure that all citizens, ijn reviewing political candidates, say to themselves, "Is he a Liberal or is he a Tory?" Some there are who will surely be guided only by the question, "Is he a Man — a straight, upright, honourable gentleman, who wishes to enter Parliament for the good he can do t~ People, the State, and the Empire. * * * It is always unfortunate that such a one should be nobbled as soon as he is a politician, and made to dance to a party tune, lose his individuality, and become a mere performer under the Whip. There have been great advances in thought, education, and discovery during the past few years, and the very large number of young New Zealand men who have returned to this Dominion have had their minds opened. They will demand something better than the old groove system.